Can a rich Church or man get into heaven?

[Greatest I Am]

Can a rich Church or man get into heaven?

Matthew 19:23
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:21
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

Matthew 19:24
And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

There seems to be a theme throughout scripture that says that wealth is not a good thing yet the Church amasses wealth for it’s own sake and glorification.

Can a Church that does not practice what it preaches lead us to heaven or is wealth actually a good thing.

What comes to mind is Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail.
In selecting the cup of Christ, the proper cup was the poor man’s cup. In contrast, if asked to select the cup of the Church, he would have selected the riches cup.

One has to wonder if the Church is right or if Jesus was.
Many say they have faith in Jesus but few follow His line of thought when their wealth is in question.

Would God reject our rich Church?
Is our Church imperfect because of it’s wealth?
Will God reject the rich man?

Your thoughts?

Regards
DL

[McCulloch]

The fact is, the early Christians practiced commonism. They had all things in common. That is different from communism where the government takes over everything and forces you to own nothing. The early Christians shared all things out of love and their freedom from the love of stuff. They distribited to all in need.

They saw food, clothing and shelter as the right of every human. But it appears that the rule was, "if a man won't work, don't let him eat". Everyone had to be fruitful to partake in the shared wealth of the Christians.

The apostles taught equality, no man taking more than he needed and sharing generously with everyone.

That is not the rich and the poor changing places like you have suggested.

Why has the modern church abandoned this practice, particularly those denominations which aspire to represent a form of Christianity authentic to the original, uncorrupted by the teachings and practices of sinful men?

[scottlittlefield17]

Yes rich men can, but "through the eye of a needle". The eye of a needle was a small gate in Jerusalem that camels could get through only by shedding there pack and crawling on there knees through it. The point is that a rich person cannot trust in there riches or put them on a higher level that they should be on. Also they need to be humble enough to "crawl through on thier knees" so must everyone else but it is often harder for rich men than for someone who is not.

[McCulloch]

Yes rich men can, but "through the eye of a needle". The eye of a needle was a small gate in Jerusalem that camels could get through only by shedding there pack and crawling on there knees through it. The point is that a rich person cannot trust in there riches or put them on a higher level that they should be on. Also they need to be humble enough to "crawl through on thier knees" so must everyone else but it is often harder for rich men than for someone who is not.

There is no historical evidence that such a gate ever existed, through frequent repetition the idea has attained the status of virtual dogma in some circles. According to InterVarsity Press's Bible Background Commentary (Craig S. Keener ed., 1993), those who support this interpretation are mistaken because the gate in question was not constructed until the fifteenth century - well after the Gospels were written. The Greek word used means a surgeon's needle, not a gate.

See also: What's the meaning of Jesus' teaching about the camel going through the eye of a needle?

[scottlittlefield17]

Sorry if i was wrong about that I don't completly buy that there was no such gate but i have no proof. My other points still stand however.

[Greatest I Am]

Can a rich Church or man get into heaven?




The answer to you question is no , They have no need for Heaven and that because they're living their Heaven here on earth right now . You rarely hear about rich people going to church ,

Thanks for this.

Regards
DL

[McCulloch]

Sorry if i was wrong about that I don't completly buy that there was no such gate but i have no proof. My other points still stand however.

The more straightforward and obvious meaning to what Jesus said would be that no rich person could enter his Kingdom of Heaven, because if you followed his example and his teaching, you would no longer be rich. His teachings, the teachings of his brother James and the example of the first century church are not that difficult to comprehend.

The alternative explanations appear to be ways of avoiding his instructions rather than humbly obeying them.

[scottlittlefield17]

That is not true. Nicodemus was rich and Jesus did not rebuke him from that. So was Joseph of Arimathea. There is no teaching that rich men cannot enter heaven. In fact Jesus said they can but it is hard. The rich young ruler was told to sell all he had because obviously he put to much enfises on his riches. Not everybody is like that. You are rich. Compared to most of the world you are very rich. How do you define rich?

[McCulloch]

That is not true. Nicodemus was rich and Jesus did not rebuke him from that.

It is not know if Jesus rebuked him for that.

So was Joseph of Arimathea.

Who does not even enter the narrative until after Jesus is dead.

There is no teaching that rich men cannot enter heaven.

Can you explain to me how someone could follow the teachings and example of Jesus and the apostles and still be rich?

In fact Jesus said they can but it is hard.

It is hard because, for the rich is it difficult to give up one's riches.

The rich young ruler was told to sell all he had because obviously he put to much enfises on his riches.

That is speculation.

Not everybody is like that. You are rich. Compared to most of the world you are very rich. How do you define rich?

Yes, to many I am rich. I am not a Christian and I make no claim to follow his teachings.

[scottlittlefield17]

Jesus nor the apostles ever taught that riches in themselves were evil.

[Greatest I Am]

Jesus nor the apostles ever taught that riches in themselves were evil.

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Luke 16:13

Luke 6:24
But woe unto you that are rich! For ye have received your consolation.

Regards
DL